Blandford-based Wessex Internet has been named the national ‘UK Fibre Provider of the Year’ in recognition of its exceptional achievements in the broadband industry. The company won two prestigious national awards at the recent UK Fibre Awards ceremony held in London – including the coveted title of ‘UK Fibre Provider of the Year,’ surpassing competitors from across the country. Additionally, the company was honoured with the ‘Best Rural Provider’ award for the second consecutive year, highlighting its dedication to connecting rural communities across Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire and closing the digital divide.
At the awards ceremony, Wessex Internet stood out among other providers due to its customer-centric approach, its industry-leading customer satisfaction scores, and a strong commitment to network upgrades. The company’s substantial investments in customer service and infrastructure improvements have propelled its rapid growth and made it a trailblazer in delivering full fibre connectivity to rural areas.
The judging panel, consisting of seven industry experts, recognised Wessex Internet’s impressive accomplishments. The company’s innovative network build approach and collaborative efforts with the community were acknowledged, particularly where Wessex Internet successfully brought full fibre to vastly underserved areas that have been neglected by traditional providers.
Last year, the BV reported that a £6 million contract is bringing the government’s new Project Gigabit to 7,000 rural properties across the district over the next three years.
Forget super-fast or even ultra-fast broadband – Project Gigabit aims to bring the fastest and most reliable internet connections to hard-to-reach rural areas, to enable families and businesses to take full advantage of technological advances in the coming decades.
For North Dorset, the contract with Wessex Internet will result in vastly improved connectivity for businesses and individuals outside the market towns and larger villages. The first homes have already been connected, with an expected completion date for all by 2025.
Hector Gibson Fleming, Wessex Internet CEO said: ‘We’re thrilled to have won these two awards. The hard work and dedication of so many people across our business is the reason we’ve managed to beat the majors in our industry from across the UK to win these fantastic awards.’
The UK Fibre Awards recognises industry leaders in technical advancements, business strategies, and outstanding achievements. The judging panel consisted of experienced professionals from the telecommunications and ICT sectors.
Wessex Internet’s accolades at the UK Fibre Awards further solidify its position as a pioneering broadband provider, committed to bridging the digital divide and connecting rural communities to reliable, high-speed internet services. With a customer-focused approach and continuous investment in network infrastructure, Wessex Internet continues to lead the way in delivering full fibre connectivity throughout the Wessex region.
